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Acorn 2:510:00/2:51
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Warm Vision 0:260:00/0:26
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Children Know It 0:290:00/0:29
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Giovanni's Gaze 0:290:00/0:29
Anchor was born as a tribute to the piano, an instrument that, for me, has been much more than a musical tool: it has been a refuge, an anchor in the most difficult moments, and, at the same time, a guide in times of uncertainty.
This piece is an expression of deep gratitude, my way of giving back to the instrument what it has given me over the years. It is a testament to a journey of growth, introspection, and transformation, but also a tribute to all those moments when the piano has been my safe harbor, the anchor that has allowed me to stay connected to myself.
Flowing Branches: Flowing branches is a metaphor for describing the flow of the soul: a movement that, while evolving, does not lose its connection to its essence and roots. The flow is not only an outward movement, but also an inner experience that carries with it a sense of adaptation and liberation.
Seeds of Tomorrow: This track expresses the sense of birth and transformation in progress, something already set in motion, like a sprout becoming something greater. The sprout, though just born, is the first step in a process that will continue with the growth of the tree, its blooming, and eventual fruiting. Similarly, the human psyche, with its dreams, desires, and potential, begins at a point of germination that, if nurtured, will develop into something rich and complex.
Winter Solstice: Just like nature, the soul too must undergo cycles of stillness, reflection, and the "dark night of the soul" before it can be reborn, stronger and more aware. The psyche gathers its strength, embraces its shadows, and prepares the soil for a new beginning. In its slow movement, the waltz becomes the musical expression of a forced pause, a slowing down that allows the soul to explore its depths.
Gift of Falling: The falling of leaves, seen as an act of liberation and renewal, is not the end of a cycle, but a natural passage that prepares the earth for a new season of growth. Just as leaves detach from the tree, the soul too frees itself from what is no longer useful, making space for new thoughts, emotions, and realizations that will enrich the future.
ACORN
I conceived my album Acorn inspired by a theme that is particularly dear to me, a thought I often forget amidst the countless activities and daily distractions, but one that always brings me back home, granting me serenity and strength. I am referring to the "Acorn Theory" by psychoanalyst James Hillman, as presented in his book "The Soul's Code." This fascinating theory is based on the idea that each of us, from childhood, carries within us the image of what we are destined to become in the future. The tracks on the album have a serene and positive character because I wish to convey the sense of strength and hope that the Acorn Theory evokes in me.
Each track encapsulates personal experiences related to this concept. For instance, the piece "For Francesco" is dedicated to a teacher of mine, the first who, in school, made me reflect on our uniqueness and greatness. "The Landing" represents all those moments when, after losing my way, I felt at home again, close to my soul. I wrote "Children Know It" thinking of the many students, even very young ones, whom I have had the fortune to meet and get to know over the years, reflecting on the beauty of their spontaneous expression, from tantrums to enthusiasm, from laughter to tears, manifestations of their instinct and closeness to their soul.
The album consists of 11 tracks performed on a felt piano, an instrument whose intimate sound brings me closer to my soul and my deepest feelings.
It was a wonderful journey preparing for this project, thanks to the fantastic team of the label Moderna Records.
Warm Vision is the third single from my album Acorn. The song is a musical journey that embraces the concepts of vision and destiny. It aims to convey serenity, offering an experience that instills tranquility and calm, while evoking a sense of inner peace and connection with nature.
For over ten years, I have worked closely with the world of children as a teacher of introductory music and piano. What fascinates me most about children is their spontaneity, sincerity, and ingenuousness in expressing themselves, their tastes, their inclinations, and what they desire for their future. "I refer instead to the most ordinary miracle in which the mark of character is revealed: suddenly, as if out of nowhere, the boy or girl shows who they are, what they must do." - J. Hillman.
With my song Children Know It, I want to convey the idea of a life that flows smoothly, with freedom to express one's vocation. Sometimes, in children, this vocation manifests itself in whims and stubbornness, in shyness and reluctance, but these behaviors may actually serve to protect the world they carry within and from which they come. Certain behaviors are, in fact, revelations of an intuited future. This is why I chose to name this song Children Know It: "the image of an entire destiny is enclosed in a tiny acorn, the seed of a great oak on fragile shoulders."
Giovanni's Gaze introduces the concept of the album. The song is inspired by the curious, surprised, and fascinated gaze of a child playing the piano. He awaited his lesson with eager anticipation, and his eyes sparkled with joy as he made music. His focused gaze, typical of someone completely immersed in what they are doing, I believe, is a manifestation of being close to one's soul. In this track, I tried to express that same spontaneity.